November 15, 2026: Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Jesus told his disciples this parable: “ A man going on a journey called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them. To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one – to each according to his ability. Then he went away. Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them, and made another five. Likewise, the one who received two made another two. But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground and buried his master’s money.

“After a long time the master of those servants came back and settled with them. The one who had received five talents came forward bringing the additional five. He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents. See, I have made five more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two talents. See, I have made two more.’ His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. Since you were faithful in small matters, I will give you great responsibilities. Come, share your master’s joy.’ Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said, ‘Masters, I knew you were a demanding person, harvesting where you did not plant and gathering where you did not scatter; so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground. Here it is back.’ His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant and gather where I did not scatter? Should you not then have put my money in the bank so that I could have got it back with interest on my return? No then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten. For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside, where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.”

Reflection

In today’s gospel, we are challenged not to be like the servant who buried his talent because he was afraid but to boldly use our talents to expand the kingdom of God. We are given talents/gifts to glorify God and to expand the kingdom of God but sometimes out of fear, we are afraid to use these gifts. We are asked to boldly use the gifts we have been given for the glory of God.

Jesus was a risk taker. Therefore, we are also challenged to take risks. An example of this could be, “I am afraid to visit the sick because I don’t know what to say to them,” where in reality, my gift of presence is all that is needed.

Another risk we may take is to speak out on a topic even if my opinion is not the most popular one.

Action

What talent are you willing to share with others?

What fears hold you back from sharing your gifts?